Gods of Poker Closes 2026 on a High Note with Another Successful Incheon Festival

Rokuro Ichihara - GOP Incheon II POS

The Gods of Poker brought its 2026 season to an exciting close with another successful run at Paradise City, Incheon, South Korea.

Returning to of its most popular stop, GOP Incheon II: The Labyrinth Trail welcomed a strong international turnout. In partnership with Japan Poker Player Services (JPPS), Japanese players came out in force, joined by a sizable Taiwanese presence, and a contingent from Lithuania, all of them chasing their share of titles, trophies, and prize money.

Running from October 30 to November 8, the ten-day festival generated more than KR₩ 1.56 billion in prize pools. The Main Event drew 489 entries and generated KR₩ 610,272,000, while the Mini Main added another KR₩ 114,240,000 to the tally, attracting 170 entries.

Rokuro Ichihara Crowned Player of the Series

Rokuro Ichihara crowned Player of the Series

Japan's strong showing extended well beyond the tournament tables. Rokuro Ichihara emerged as the festival's Player of the Series with a stunning seven cashes, including one Event #54: Hyper Turbo – Super Hold’em (3 Hole Cards). For his hot run, Ichihara was awarded the POS crown and USD 1,500 in tournament credits.

Leaderboard: Player of the Series

Rintaro Kato

Fellow Japanese player Rintaro Kato also finished strong. Included in his four cashes was a Main Event 23rd finish and a victory at Event #40: Hyper Turbo – High Rollers. Kato earned enough points to claim second in the POS race and was awarded USD 1,000 in tournament credits.

Graeme Gordon

Canada's Graeme Gordon cashed in three events, which was enough to claim the bronze, the USD 500 tournament credits, and deny an all-Japan podium sweep. Adding to his festival success, Gordon also won the Influencer Conquest.

Livestream: Influencer Conquest

Jing Ku Huang Wins Main Event

While the GOP spartans and shields were spread across numerous events, the biggest spotlight belonged to Taiwan's Jing Ku Huang who came from behind to claim the final GOP 2026 Main Event title.

This was Huang's first ever major live title. For his success, he hoisted the iconic GOP gauntlet and a career high pay0ut of KR₩ 123,582,000.

Livestream: Main Event

Other Success Stories

Aleksandr Ovodov

The series also produced several multi-champions. Japan's Ryoma Yamamoto and Joichi Fukui each captured two NL Hold'em titles. Fukui was the first to win two events. Days later, Yamamoto followed, adding a career second spartan to his poker awards shelf.

At the PLO events, Aleksandr Ovodov also finished with a pair of victories in the Omaha Double Board events.

Sickest Cooler

Yuetsu Shu

The festival also witnessed numerous jaw-dropping coolers, none more memorable than Yuetsu Shu's incredible runner-runner straight at the final table to crack pocket aces and escape elimination.

Hand History

At Main Event Day 2, Hua Huang was on the brutal end of a cooler with his top set at the flop burned by Hau Yun Chen's set on the turn.

Hand History

Next Stop: GOP Taipei 2027

With another successful Incheon edition in the books, GOP signs off on 2026! The Gods of Poker team extends its heartfelt gratitude to all the players, partners, sponsors, and supporters who have helped bring the brand to life and contributed to its success throughout the year.

In partnership with CTP Club, the tour returns in a few months to Taipei, Taiwan, scheduled from February 12 to 22, 2027, at the Asia Poker Arena. More details to follow, so for now, be sure to lock it in.

News: Gods of Poker Taipei